Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

newgirly

Glad you enjoyed the holiday Vix, it’s sounds very relaxing

themadvix

Morning all,

Had a lovely time at the leaving party on Friday night - brought home some flowers, some chocs (long dated, they've been put away for a gift ) and a £10 Asda gift card plus a lot of leftover cake! We had most of the cake yesterday with family, which was lovely. Quite a relaxed weekend otherwise - had breakfast out on Saturday for Sis's birthday (Dad paid) and spent most of yesterday watching many varied and nail-biting sports - fantastic results for the cricket and Hamilton, just sad that Federer didn't add to his total too.

Complained to M&S about a very below par cafe visit with Mum last week and we've been sent a £5 voucher, so we'll have to go again (different branch though)! Used up Shopm1um referral credits on some beer for DH - cost to me was 25p for 660ml bottle, so a good bargain. Have downloaded all sorts of apps onto my phone (and am pleased with it so far), so feeling very organised there and will hopefully help with money saving.

On Saturday we spent some time planning our US holiday and applied for our ESTAs. It's looking mighty expensive, but we'll save hard.

Have had a productive morning so far, which is good, as I feel I've been a bit unfocused on productivity lately. 1P and PA still going strong! This morning I received our annual statements for G&E. Very pleased to see that we spent £337 on gas and £435 on electric over the last year. Considering we cook on electric, this seems very reasonable (and might suggest that I could have the heating on slightly more in the winter?!).

MS things:
* Good use of fridge foods etc. this weekend
* Leftovers from Brownie party
* 1P @ £32.50
* PA survey
* SBs app now on my phone

Gratitudes:
* Lots of lovely family time this weekend
* Thank you presents from church and ex-Brownie parent - totally unexpected!
* Lovely memories of Brownies over the years and happy/confident we're leaving the unit in good hands

Have a good day all!

Suffolk_lass

Reading about your US client and your trip next year, I was wondering if part of your trip might involve a client meeting which might make some of the expenses business expenses and tax deductible (eg all or part of your flight costs)?

themadvix

Sadly/happily not SL. None of them are in the states we're visiting. While it might be nice to meet them, I'm not sure about combining a holiday with clients, I think it might be a bit stressful. A good point though (and I have just had to double-check their office addresses!).

In reality it's probably not *that* expensive (in my head, where I haven't added anything up yet, I'm working to about 5,000 pounds all in, which is on a par with previous 'expensive' holidays for us. I suspect that because we're cheapskates most of the time, this probably isn't that much compared to other people's holiday budgets! (Especially for 2.5 weeks.) We have a spreadsheet now, but it's not got much pinned down on it!

themadvix

Morning all,

Having another productive day today - have posted an RM survey item (litter picked on the way back from the PB, what is wrong with people?! ), lots of work done, clicks, surveys, housework....

I need to keep picking and processing the redcurrants (am open freezing them and then transferring to a tub) and pull some rhubarb too - it's getting out of hand! Am also going to walk into town later to do some jobs. DH can pick me up on way home. Have a cheque to pay in and need a book from the library on the US.

MS things:
* Free replacement Fitbit strap heading my way - they don't sell them anymore and I didn't want a dodgy one from Ebay as it's against my skin all the time, so emailed them about where I could buy one from and they're sending me a new one.
* Accidentally managed to sign up for Am Prime trial yesterday - so making the most of that (not that there's anything we want from the Prime Day stuff - just other bits!) Using survey vouchers to pay, of course.
* Clicks etc.
* 1P @ 33.15 (PA very quiet though)
* 500g redcurrants picked and frozen
* ESTA has been approved (not that they bother to email to tell you!)
* DH has sorted cinema tickets for tomorrow (about 3 pounds each) - Toy Story 4
* Downloaded one of these rewards for walking apps - will see how it goes/works

Gratitudes:
* Gorgeous sunny day
* Tomatoes are yellowing in the garden
* Feeling a bit more on top of things than I have recently
* Loving new phone (particularly ability to listen to podcasts - good for evening class and then there's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

Hope you're having a good day!

CosmoCat

The ESTA thing is so weird, they never tell you anything, you just have to keep checking. Anyway woohoo on all your other wins too.

Karmacat

Regular harvesting of garden fruits! 500g is an excellent haul I must get out there ...

themadvix

There's another half a bush to collect Karma... I'm sure I say it every year but I love my redcurrant... So little work, such excellent rewards! (The best 99p ever spent on eBay, even if it was meant to be a blackcurrant!)

themadvix

Morning all!

:wave: Cosmocat! Thanks for popping by. I'm glad it's not just me who thinks it's weird that they take your email address and don't bother to send the email!

I did walk into town yesterday but any petrol saving was negated when after two hours (and just before I was due to be picked up by DH) I remembered that I'd left the rhubarb stewing on the stove.....:eek: DH was promptly sent directly home to rescue the cats from the (in my imagination) burning building! Fortunately, everything was fine (there was a lot of rhubarb!) - and even the rhubarb was okay! DH then came and picked me up.... hence no fuel saving.

I'm getting caught up on work this morning - might actually get to the point where I'm *all* caught up, which would be nice. Bread has been baked, plants watered and evening class practice done too. I may or may not pop out later - could go and see mum, but she has got a long to-do list, so I might not be too welcome!

MS things:
* 1P @ £33.75 (slowly, slowly...)
* PA @ £10.91
* PC survey done
* Clicks done. SBs is slow on surveys today (loving having app on my phone though).
* Used up ricotta on pizza instead of mozzarella - tasted fine.

Gratitudes:
* My house didn't burn down and cats were okay!
* Cinema tonight
* Work is nearly up to date :T

Have a good afternoon all!

ETA: Just been awarded my 9-year MSE badge!

earthgirl

Great that you are getting so much done! You've inspired me to make a list. Glad there was no fire!